DEFENDING CHAMPION: South African Dylan Frittelli shot 21-under-par 263 when this event was last held in 2019 to defeat Russell Henley by two shots.

COURSE: The picturesque TPC Deere Run, located in Silvis, Illinois, was designed by D.A. Weibring in association with PGA Tour Design Services and opened in 2000. The 6,637-metre layout (par-71) typically yields very low winning scores, with Michael Kim reaching 27-under in 2018 and Paul Goydos carding 59 in the 2010 event.

PRIZEMONEY: US$6,200,000.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Sydneysider Cam Davis recorded his breakthrough victory on the PGA Tour last week, defeating Troy Merritt and Joaquin Niemann in extra holes at Detroit Golf Club.

The wiry 26-year-old combined his power off the tee – for which he is currently ranked 17th on Tour, thanks to his driving average of 282.2 metres – with solid putting to enter the winner’s circle after 71 Tour starts.

Davis, winner of the Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in 2017, has moved to a career-best 67th in the world rankings. He was T53rd at the John Deere Classic from his only appearance in 2019, signing for rounds of 66, 70, 70 and 70.

The five-hole playoff in Detroit last week shouldn’t have bothered Davis too much physically, however the focus it required must surely have proved challenging. He will be hoping the wave of adrenaline he is riding doesn’t crash prior to his arrival in the Quad Cities.

RIGHT: Dylan Frittelli won his maiden PGA Tour title at TPC Deere Run in 2019. PHOTO: Michael Cohen/R&A via Getty Images.

South Korean Sungjae Im and his compatriot Si Woo Kim have both decided to skip the Open Championship in two weeks’ time in order to focus on the Tokyo Olympics.

Im, 23, shared eighth place at the Rocket Mortgage Classic last week and leads the Tour for total birdies (398) this season.

The consistent World No.27 has now recorded eight top-20s from his 20 starts in season 2021 and will be eager to add to his solitary PGA Tour title, which came at The Honda Classic last year.

Im, who was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2018-19, shared 26th place when he made his first appearance at TPC Deere Run in 2019.

72-HOLE RECORD: Michael Kim fired 27-under-par 257 in 2018 to defeat three of his American compatriots – Bronson Burgoon, Joel Dahmen and Sam Ryder – and Francesco Molinari by eight shots.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: John Senden (2006) and Mark Hensby (2004).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Cam Davis, Rhein Gibson, Cameron Percy and John Senden.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 5am – 8am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 5am – 8am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 3am – 8am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 3am – 8am)

*AEST, check local guides